Using Nubix Series Surveillance DVRs for Remote Internet Browser Viewing

Part 1: Creating the Physical Setup

On the back of the Nubix DVR is a connector for your LAN (typically called an RJ45 connector). It is usually labeled LAN (oddly enough). Obtain a standard CAT5 Ethernet cable and connect the LAN port to your router. For the purpose of this discussion we will be using Linksys router. Once the DVR is connected and it is powered up and the router is powered up check the status light on the router. It should be lit or blinking. If it is NOT lit or blinking, there is something wrong with the connection, try replacing the cable. Also some Nubix DVRs have an LED on the LAN connector, which should also be lit or blinking when the connection is working.

Before we go on: A note about routers

 Routers are made by many manufacturers and it is not possible to describe every one.  The user’s interface for each router differs from brand to brand  and sometimes even from model to model in the same brand. Please refer to the router's user's manual for notes on exactly how to configure your router.

Part 2: Connecting your Nubix DVR to your Local Area Network:

 NOTICE
 We assume you are familiar with navigating your Nubix DVR's menu and command structure using the front panel buttons. If you're not sure how to get to the menu, please start with a more basic procedure such as setting up motion detection or scheduled recording, before trying this procedure. When you are confident you can navigate the menu and make/save changes, then come back and try this procedure.

First let's check the current network settings of your DVR. To do that you will need to access the Nubix on-screen-display. Press the MENU button and you should be looking at a figure similar to Figure 1, below. Select ADVANCE and you should see Figure 2. Select NETWORK.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Under NETWORK TYPE as shown in Figure 3, there are 2 options you could select, “DHCP” or “Static”. Make sure the DVR is set to DCHP. This setting allows the router – which should be set in/to "DCHP SERVER" mode - to automatically set the IP address of the DVR.

Figure 3

NOTICE
Make sure your router is set to act as a DHCP server. This is the factory default position on most routers. Check the user's manual or the manufacturers technical support if you are unsure or have a problem.

Using the DVR Software

If your DVR came with installation software then install the software on your computer now, if you have not already done so. If you didn't get a CD(s), then access the following website and download VIDEO SERVER E and any other programs recommended on the website (exact programs and versions change with time, so be sure to read the instructions on the web site).

http://www.cctvsupportsite.com

After installing the software a VIDEO SERVER E icon should appear on your desktop. If not, look in your PROGRAMS listing for a new program group called (interestingly enough) VIDEO SERVER E. Start this software and you should see a graphic similar to Figure 4 appear.

Figure 4

Click the button that shows the MAGNIFYING GLASS – this will initiate a search function to determine the IP address of the DVR (which the router set earlier in this procedure). A window similar to the following will appear.

Figure 5

The "Device List" will show the IP address of your DVR, if it is properly connected. If not, try pressing "Search Again". If that doesn't work there might be a problem with the connection or a firewall could be blocking the connection. First check the physical connections, and if that looks ok try the following to see if you can troubleshoot the problem without resorting to outside help.

1. Recheck the router's settings and make sure DHCP is enabled. Many routers include a table somewhere of IP addresses of DHCP devices it recognizes. This may be in the user documentation or in the user software. Take a look at the list and make sure one of the devices is a DVR.
2. Double check to make sure no firewall software is blocking the Video Server E program.
3. If none of these techniques helps, consult an internet/LAN professional.

Write Down Your IP Address and Port Number

Before going any further (assuming the process is working to this point), record your IP address and port number now. Don't tell yourself you'll do it later (BIG mistake). Do it now.

Return to the login window (Fig. 4) AFTER you write down your IP number. (I'm serious - most problems that crop up later will be directly related to the IP number. You've been warned.) To login you need a login name (the field where the little person icon is), a password (the field with the lock), and an IP address and port number (in the appropriate fields indicated). Enter this information now and then click the green button to go to the next step. You will see a screen similar to the following appear (however the exact number and quality of older people at your location will be different). It may take a few seconds to load (video data is rich compared to text data, so download/transfer rate of your network is a primary concern when performing any kind of remote security camera monitoring operations).

Figure 6

Access the DVR using a web browser

You can also access your DVR through a java enabled web browser, however there are limitations to this method. Most notably you can only view the video stream, not control the DVR itself. This is still a very useful feature nonetheless.

To access the security DVR via the browser, simply type the IP address and the port # into the URL address bar at the top of the window. For example, if the IP address of your DVR is 198.987.1.022, and the port # is 85, then type the following in the location bar: http://198.987.1.022:85

Figure 7

The computer you are using then connects to the DVR and the DVR web browser screen can appear. You should see the following.

Figure 8

Enter a login and password to log on (the default login/password is admin/admin). After a few seconds video should appear.

Figure 9

Part 3: Setup remote surveillance for the DVR

Switching to a static IP

A remote location is anywhere outside of the LAN. For instance you may want to set up a surveillance system at home and monitor it while you are on vacation through a laptop at a campground or hotel room. This is a powerful means of increasing your property security and peace of mind.

We recommend you switch from DHCP to STATIC IP on your DVR. This will make the procedure easier to follow and more organized. You can do this using the controls on the front of the DVR or by using Video Server E. It's easier to use Video Server E, so we'll step you through that procedure below.

First login to your DVR using Video Server E as we discussed earlier. Click the “system config” button, which is the icon with the pencil/stick note graphic. Select “Network”, then you can input “Server IP”, “Gateway”, “subnet mask” and “web port” information in the fields on the right.

Figure 10

A brief explanation of the fields shown in Figure 10:

Server IP: The IP address of the DVR. Use the IP address that is given to the DVR by the router or pick a new one. If you pick a new one make sure the IP address is recognizable by the router or this procedure won't work. You can use several methods to pick a new IP address, one way is to compare the IP addresses of other items on the network and set an IP number just one number higher than the highest IP number you find – if it doesn't conflict with another IP addressed device on the network this will probably work.

Gateway: The IP address of your router. If you are not sure of this IP number check the user’s manual of the router.

Subnet mask: Pick 255.255.255.0

Web port:  Pick 1~9999. It must be one not used by any other devices. Larger numbers are less likely to conflict (like 9990, 9996, etc.). 

When finished click the “static IP” button, then click APPLY. That should do it if or the DVR.

Your IP Address Assigned by Your ISP

Now you need to determine the external IP address.  This would be the IP number the world wide web uses to recognize your particular connection in the mass of computers and devices that are always present on the internet. There are several ways to find this IP. You could

1. Get it from you ISP (call them and ask for it).
2. Look at the status page of your router.
3. Use a website like http://whatismyip.com/ that will query your connection and report your IP address to you. This is probably the easiest method.

If you have an active internet connection, the 3rd method is probably the easiest.

Set up Port Forwarding

Now you are armed with the following information. We are setting some numbers below strictly for demonstration purposes later in this procedure, sp please remember your IP numbers will be different:

1. Local IP of your DVR (let's use 222.222.2.111).
2. Port # for your DVR (let's use 8080).
3. External IP of your network (let's use 333.333.33.555).

Using the examples above, if you wanted to attach to your DVR with a jave-enable browser you would type the following into the URL bar at the top of the browser:

http://333.333.33.555:8080

When you press ENTER a request travels through the web to reach IP 333.333.33.555 and locate port number 8080. The IP is your router, as referenced by the world wide web. The router gets "touched" (good touch, not bad touch) and must somehow associate this request with port 8080. That process is called Port Forwarding. Different routers have different ways of setting up port forwarding. Check your router's owners manual, or you can check this web site, which as a wealth of information concerning port forwarding:

http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/routerindex.htm

Look for your router, then click on the specific model. Find your router in the list and click on the link and follow ALL of the directions. You will probably also have to set up a STATIC IP for your computer, so make sure the follow the instructions for that process as well (you will be using the ipconfig command in DOS to determine and help set the static IP, but don't worry, it's not too hard to follow). When you are finished open an internet web browser on your computer (such as Microsoft IE) and type the IP address and the port number, like this:

http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:port#

In a moment you should see live streaming video. If not, go through the procedures again and double check all of your settings. If that still doesn't work consult an internet/LAN professional to trouble-shoot your problem (we've done everything here we can – your problem lies outside of the IP/Port Forwarding issues this procedure can realistically address).

Dealing with Dynamic IPs Like those Assigned By Dial-Up Account Users

Some ISPs assign IP addresses that change over time. Virtually all dial-up accounts operate this way. If you want your DVR to be in a location where the only internet connection is through dialup account (not recommended for several reasons, especially for speed of video streaming), your IP will likely change each time you dial-up the internet. This is a problem in situations where you must depend on a pre-determined IP address to make your connection (like this whole procedure we've been discussing). There are companies on the internet who have already foreseen this issue and offer services to deal with the problem. You can Google around and find one or you can use one we've used with good results before, the good people at a company called DYNDNS (http://www.dyndns.com). Setup is pretty fast and straightforward. Do the following:

1. Get a an account (free or subsciption – they offer both) at  dyndns.com.
2. Your account signup process will let you pick a host name. Remember it.
3. Setup the DDNS feature (on your router) to communicate with their server.

Here's an example procedure for those steps (your exact steps will be different so remember, the following is for example purposes ONLY).

1. Go to http://www.dyndns.com. Get a DDNS account. (Find the link that says SIGN UP NOW and click it).
2. You will be asked to enter a USER NAME for login.
3. You will be asked to enter your email address.
4. You will be asked to create a password.
5. There's some options you can select or not, then click the button CREATE ACCOUNT.
6. Go to your email account now and you should see and email from DYNDNS to confirm your information and your account. Follow the instructions.
7. After your account is created and confirmed, login to your account
8. Click the MY SERVICE button.
9. Click the ADD HOST SERVICES button.
10. Click the ADD DYNAMIC DNS HOST button.
11. Follow the on-screen menu and create a host name. Remember it. (Maybe even write it down!)
12. You will be assigned an IP address at the end of the procedure. Remember it (you are writing this stuff down, right?).
13. Now, to setup the router, go to the DDNS page in the router’s web interface and fill in your account username, password and hostname you created at DYNDNS. Check your router's user manual if you're not sure how to access that page.
14. You should now be able to access your DVR remotely by typing http://hostname:port# into the address bar of a browser in a PC at any remote location (as long as your remote location allows that type of connection – some LANs may not allow it, but it should be fine from your home, for instance).

If you found this procedure helpful, or if you found a problem you feel could help us make this procedure easier to follow or more trouble-free, please contact us! Click here!